Present invention relates to illuminating devices in firearms, and, more particularly, to a magazine attached illuminating device.
Illuminating devices or flashlight devices generally used with firearms (weapons mounted light) for aligning a flashlight beam relative to a line of sight of the firearms or tool when pointing toward a target, so that the beam and line of sight intersect at a predetermined range.
However, it has long been hazarding in peril for the weapons mounted light to force the end-user to point the muzzle of the firearm exactly where they are illuminating. With conventional lights that are weapon mounted and substantially centered with the muzzle center access bore, it is impossible to identify a target and then point the muzzle at a potential target.
Further, such flashlight systems may not be effective and even be dangerous where law enforcement, home security or any end user are not aiming or willing to point the firearm to innocent people or other objects to destroy or shoot.
Therefore, there exists a need for an illuminating device or a magazine attached illuminating device that is operatively configured to fit within the firearm, where the light from the illuminating device is pointed towards the object or towards the innocent people, whereby making it conducive to position of the firearm in a compressed high ready position where otherwise having the muzzle pointed upward with a lower probability of “muzzling” or otherwise pointing the firearm that innocent people or other objects the end-user is not willing to destroy or shoot.
In view of the above objects, in one aspect, a magazine attached illuminating device for a firearm having a magazine is provided. The magazine attached illuminating device may include a prime illuminator to throw light on an object. The prime illuminator defines a center of throw of the light, and luminescent dispersion from the light. The magazine attached illuminating device is configured to be attached to a bottom of the magazine. The magazine with the magazine attached illuminating device is configured to be inserted in a magazine insert of the firearm. The center throw of light from the prime illuminator is configured to be vertically lower from a bore axis that extends longitudinally through a geometric center of a muzzle of the firearm.
Further, the luminescent dispersion from the prime illuminator is configured to be pointing towards the object, and the muzzle of the firearm is configured to be directed away from the object, when the firearm is configured to be raised in a high ready position or in a compressed high ready position.
The throw of light may be between 30° to 160° in a lateral direction and approximately the same as in a vertical direction, and more preferably, between 90° and 120° in the lateral and vertical directions.
In further aspect, a magazine attached illuminating device for a firearm having a magazine is provided. The magazine attached illuminating device includes an illuminating device body, a prime illuminator, a switch member and a power source. The illuminating device body is configured to be attached on a bottom of the magazine. The prime illuminator is attached to a front end of the illuminating device body to throw light on an object. The prime illuminator defines a center of throw of the light, and luminescent dispersion from the light. The switch member is attached to a rear end, opposite to the front end, of the illuminating device body to turn the magazine attached illuminating device on and off. The power source is provided in the illuminating device body to power the prime illuminator, upon actuation of the switch member. A center throw of light from the prime illuminator is configured to be vertically lower from a bore axis extending longitudinally through a geometric center of a muzzle of the firearm. the luminescent dispersion from the prime illuminator is configured to be pointing towards the object and the muzzle of the firearm is configured to be directed away from the object, when the firearm is configured to be raised in a high ready position or in a compressed high ready position.
In an embodiment, the illuminating device body includes an attaching arrangement, a base region and an attaching cap. The attaching arrangement is provided to detachably attach the magazine attached illuminating device to the bottom of the magazine. The base region is provided to be rounded and configured to not be extended very far from a lower edge of the firearm to have a compressed and rounded corner. The attaching cap is provided to be detachably coupled to the illuminating device body.
In an embodiment, the prime illuminator includes Light Emitting Diodes (LED). The prime illuminator protrudes outwards from the illuminating device body, and is angled with respect to the illuminating device body. The throw of light of the prime illuminator may be between 30° to 160° in a lateral direction and approximately the same as in a vertical direction, and more preferably, between 90° and 120° in the lateral and vertical directions.
In an embodiment, the switch member includes a switch, and a ridge coupled to the switch and operatively engages with the power source via a power circuit. In one arrangement, the switch is a sliding switch to be slid vertically downward and vertically upward to move the ridge. The ridge is moved forward when the sliding switch is slid vertically upward to close the power circuit with the power source to turn on the prime illuminator. Further, the ridge is moved backward when the sliding switch is slid vertically downward to disengage the power circuit with the power source to turn on the prime illuminator. In one another arrangement, the switch is a pivoting switch to be rotated to a first orientation and to a second orientation to move the ridge. The rotation enables the ridge to move forward to close the power circuit with the power source to turn on the prime illuminator, and to move backward to disengage the power circuit with the power source to turn on the prime illuminator.
In one further aspect, a magazine for a firearm is provided. The magazine includes a magazine attached illuminating device attached on a bottom of the magazine. The magazine attached illuminating device includes a prime illuminator to throw the light on an object. The prime illuminator defines a center of throw of the light, and luminescent dispersion from the light. The center throw of the light from the prime illuminator is configured to be vertically lower from a bore axis that extends longitudinally through a geometric center of a muzzle of the firearm. The luminescent dispersion from the prime illuminator is configured to be pointing towards an object and the muzzle of the firearm is configured to be directed away from the object, when the firearm is configured to be raised in a high ready position or in a compressed high ready position.
The magazine includes a magazine body whereby the magazine attached illuminating device is retrofitted. The magazine body may include bullet slots configured to receive bullets. The magazine attached illuminating device is attached on the bottom of the magazine body by replacing a conventional base plate of the magazine, and wherein a base region of the magazine attached illuminating device is rounded and configured to not be extended very far from a lower edge of the firearm to have a compressed and rounded corner.
The magazine body may be without bullet slots wherein the magazine is attached illuminating device is attached on the bottom to be used as flashlight, and wherein a base region of the magazine attached illuminating device is rounded and configured to not be extended very far from a lower edge of the firearm to have a compressed and rounded corner.
In one further aspect, a firearm includes a magazine to be received in a magazine slot; and a magazine attached illuminating device attached on a bottom of the magazine. The magazine attached illuminating device includes a prime illuminator to throw the light on an object, wherein the prime illuminator defines a center of throw of the light, and luminescent dispersion from the light. The center throw of the light from the prime illuminator is configured to be vertically lower from a bore axis that extends longitudinally through a geometric center of a muzzle of the firearm. Further, the luminescent dispersion from the prime illuminator is configured to be pointing towards an object and the muzzle of the firearm is configured to be directed away from the object, when the firearm is configured to be raised in a high ready position or in a compressed high ready position. The throw of light may be between 30° to 160° in a lateral direction and approximately the same as in a vertical direction, and more preferably, between 90° and 120° in the lateral and vertical directions.
This together with the other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, is pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forms a part of the present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
The terms, “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.
Referring to
Referring now to
The magazine attached illuminating device 20 is operatively configured to fit on the magazine 22, as shown in
The illuminating device body 28 may also include an attaching cap 44 to be detachably coupled to the illuminating device body 28.
In one form, the magazine body 22a of the magazine 22 may include bullet slots configured to receive bullets, such as a conventional magazine. The magazine body 22a of the magazine 22 may also be without bullet slots, and when such magazine 22 includes the magazine attached illuminating device 20, the overall assembly may be used by an end-user as a flashlight.
Further, the magazine attached illuminating device 20 has and LED which functions as the prime illuminator 30. Of course, in other forms the prime illuminator 30 may be standard incandescent but LED technology has particular advantages of providing higher number of lumens and less heat production. The prime illuminator 30 protrudes outwards from the illuminating device body 28, and may be angled with respect to the illuminating device body 28, as seen in
The power source 28 may be a conventional battery such as a CR2 lithium battery. Further, the switch member 32 may include a switch 46, and a ridge 48 coupled to the switch 46 and operatively engages with the power source 34 via a power circuit 50 to turn the magazine attached illuminating device 20 on and off. In one embodiment, the switch 46 may be a sliding switch, as seen in
As shown in
Referring now to
Further, what is also disclosed is a method of illuminating an area in front of the firearm 24 which is handled by an end-user 100, and described in conjunction with
A mentioned above, the disclosure has an ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ switch, such as the switch 46, in the rear end 28b and then one method of using the illumination technique is that if the end-user 100 has a first and second illumination devices, one on a magazine 22 in the firearm 24, such as the pistol, and another one on the end-users' body, as a backup magazine. Therefore, the end-user 100 may grab the backup magazine and use that just as a simple flashlight, such magazine may not include the bullet slots. In other words, the end-user 100 doesn't have to pull out their firearm 24 to illuminate an object or area which is clearly not a threat but they want to have better vision on in a little light situation. Further, in the event of a magazine change cause by running out of rounds or otherwise clearing a jam, the end user would have the prime illuminator 30 in the gun by way of inserting the second magazine. It should be noted the magazines 22 may be bullet slots that are filled with bullets just as a conventional magazine and the unit is adapted to be retrofitted to existing magazine bodies 22b. The light can actually be turned ‘ON’ in the holster by way of flicking the switch member 32 (or sliding switch 52 or pivoting switch 54) which may be upward into the rear and then withdrawn from one hand, one hand is only available to the end-user 100.
The throw of light can be between 30° to 160° in the lateral direction and approximately the same of the vertical direction. More preferred range would be between 90° and 120° of throw in the vertical and lateral directions. Also, the latest version is reasonably uniform when the user repositions from the compressed high ready to full presentation presenting the firearm 24 at a target amount of light variance is minimal on the target so not to distract the end user.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.
The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S. Code, Section 119 on the provisional application numbered 63/274,030 filed on Nov. 1, 2021, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63274030 | Nov 2021 | US |